The Peggy G. Hereford award is the contest’s top accolade, and it is regarded throughout the airport industry as the highest honor an airport can earn for marketing and communications excellence.  The award recognizes overall creativity in communicating the airport’s message, effectiveness in connecting with audiences, and the overall scope of the airport’s effort in marketing and public relations.

Vancouver garnered first place in five categories and received 10 awards total.

“ACI-NA congratulates the winners of the 2013 Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest, and we truly appreciate the quality of entries that we received across all categories this year,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. “Once again, the contest has proved to be an exceptionally competitive opportunity for airports across North America to present their latest and greatest ideas for marketing and communicating to many audiences, including financial stakeholders, airlines, concessionaires and the greater public.  The creativity and imagination exhibited by this year’s entries clearly demonstrate that airports continue to innovate how they share the message of their economic importance to the communities they serve.”

This year, 53 airports and airport authorities submitted 245 entries in categories ranging from printed materials such as annual reports and newsletters, to broadcast advertising and social media campaigns, to public relations and community outreach initiatives.  Each of the 20 categories was judged by communications and marketing professionals from the U.S. and Canada.

A founding member of the ACI-NA Marketing and Communications Committee, Peggy G. Hereford championed that the adventure and spirit of aviation imbue how airports told their stories to the world.  She served as the Public Affairs Director at Los Angeles International Airport, where she was the first woman to head the public relations department for a major U.S. airport, retiring in 1977.

First awarded in 1990, the contest has become a focus for airport marketing and communications professionals to showcase their expertise.  Award winners were recognized at the 2013 Marketing and Communications Conference and JumpStart® Air Development Program in Atlanta.

Awards Information:

Calgary International Airport

3rd Place: Community Outreach